Psalm 5 – “Petition for Righteousness”

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
The psalmist begs God to lead him on the path of righteousness and to do away with sinners.

II. Photo
The psalmist prays at dawn: “Hear my voice, O Lord, at daybreak; at daybreak I plead before you, and wait!” (v. 4)

III. Select Verses
5-7: For You are not a God who desires wickedness; evil cannot abide with You; wanton men cannot endure in Your sight. You detest all evildoers; You doom those who speak lies; murderous, deceitful men the LORD abhors.
8: But I, through Your abundant love, enter Your house; I bow down in awe at Your holy temple.
9: O LORD, lead me along Your righteous [path] because of my watchful foes; make Your way straight before me.
10-11: For there is no sincerity on their lips; their heart is [filled with] malice; their throat is an open grave; their tongue slippery. Condemn them, O God; let them fall by their own devices; cast them out for their many crimes, for they defy You.

IV. Outline
1. Superscription
2-4. Invocation and initial plea
5-7. Praise: God’s righteousness
8. Description of worship
9. Petition
10-11. Description of enemies and imprecation
12-13. Didactic blessing

V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.

VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Collins, John J. “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).
Craigie, Peter C. “Psalms 1-50” Word Biblical Commentary vol. 19 (Waco, Texas: Wordbooks, 1983).
Gerstenberger, Erhard S. “Psalms Part 1 with an Introduction to Cultic Poetry” Forms of Old Testament Literature (Michigan: Eerdmans, 1988).
Photo taken from  http://media.cottagecountrynow.ca/special/parrysound/gallery/albums/scenic/Daybreak_Photographer_Gary_St_Jean.jpg